For over a hundred years, slots machines were the most common and popular source of entertainment. However, they have now evolved into a more modern variant known as video slots. Today, the game is very popular in live casinos, and their virtual counterparts attract legions of players. With the increasing availability of the internet, there are a wide variety of video slot machines to play in virtual casinos today, ranging from the simple “One Armed Bandit” to the latest high-tech video slots.

Although the game can be played with little to no background knowledge or previous experience, it is still vital to understand the basics of how the game works. Doing so will help you in making the most of your gambling experience. But before we begin how to play video slots, first, let's see what it is.   

What is video slots online?

Though classic slots are still prevalent among gamblers, their video versions have started to gain more attention in recent years. One of the main reasons for its increase in popularity is its ease and high entertainment value, which appeals to newbies and experienced players.  

As the name suggests, video slots are an on-screen version of a land-based slot game.  Rather than using a lever and a simple reel mechanism, the game is played on a video screen, with the player pressing a button in order to start the action. When you think of a traditional slot machine, you might picture a three-reel slot machine with a lever on one side to get the reels spin. Fruit symbols, sevens, dollar signs, horseshoes, and bells are probably to appear as symbols here. However, video slots are different. Because of its digital nature, it provides a wide range of dynamic graphics, sounds, animations, and themes that gives an interactive experience. 

Video slots are significantly more extensive than their one-armed bandit counterparts. They are played over five reels instead of three. Furthermore, they are likely to have a large number of paylines. Apart from thematic symbols, there are also going to be special symbols. The wagering range is substantially broader, and the prizes tend to be far more valuable.

Due to technological evolution, you can play the game based on your preferred TV shows, movies, fantastical lands, comic books, famous figures, etc. When playing the game online, there are better possibilities for side games, bonuses, and features to keep you entertained. This is just one of the reasons why gamers are drawn to this kind of play. With the rise in digital casinos, many traditional casino games like online coin machines have moved online.

Furthermore, unlike most reel slots machines, video slots have a higher maximum for bets. They usually have a significantly higher number of paylines, and the more paylines there are, the more coins you could be able to bet. Despite advancements in technology, the gameplay is relatively the same. 

Video slots features

If you want to learn how to win big at slots, you must first comprehend what features the games have to offer and what you are actually playing for. You can play online slot games without knowing the different elements, but this will make the gameplay boring. As we play slots to have some fun, it is crucial to get familiar with its different features. 

Reels:

Slot reels are the vertical positions on the grid where different symbols land in various combinations. By matching the appropriate symbols, you win the game. There are more than three or more reels. The most popular slots, however, are 3-reel and 5-reel slots.

Paylines:  

A payline is a pattern on the reels that the game reads to see if you have hit a winning combination or not. Usually, in most online slot games, the paylines move from left to right. However, in some, they move both ways. Some are straight lines, whereas others are zig-zagged. A win occurs when you get identical symbols on an active payline. There are certain symbols that are more valuable than others. The more you land on the highest value paying symbol, the bigger your win will be.

Scatter symbol: 

In each video slot game, scatters are your best friends. Normally, there are scatters in every slot game. It’s rare not to have these symbols. But if that is the case, they can be replaced with other symbols, such as bonus symbols, which perform in a similar way. The reason these symbols are excellent company is their capability to activate bonus games, like mini-games, free spins, or other bonus rounds.

Wilds: 

You might have often heard the term ‘wild card’ across many different games. This usually means a card that can substitute for any other card that you may want in order to win. With slots, it means the same. Wilds are one of the most common symbol features in the slot game. It is typically used to help you complete a winning combination that would otherwise be incomplete. They can be either simple logos or present as heroes, depending on the theme. Wild symbols offer you to win big in free slots.

Bonus round: 

It is a popular feature in the slot game that grants extra winnings. The bonus you receive could be anything, like picking one of the three chests, a chance to spin the bonus wheel, mini-games, etc. Prizes that you win during the bonus round are always for free.

How to play video slots?

No matter how fancy the graphics are, online casino slots machines all work in the same way. Before you start playing, you must check the paytable, provided by every online slot gaming app. It will show you which symbols are the best and if they have any bonus rounds or unique features. 

All video slots contain a set number of columns called reels, which displays the symbols. Despite the fact that each game has its own variations, every slot machine uses a random number generator (RNG). As the name implies, this technology assures that the symbols displayed on the reels are chosen at random and that the game and the outcome of each spin is fair. 

Once you select the bet size, press the spin button or the lever and see what fate has in store for you. If three identical symbols stop in successive positions on any of the bet lines, you will win. Payouts may vary depending on the number of paylines the slot machine has.

Many slots websites also give you an option of an autoplay feature. This mode allows you to sit back and let your computer do the spinning for you. Once you click on it,  you can set up as many as a number of spins before you start playing. Some online apps or sites also offer to spin the reels for you until you stop it. Once selected, the machine will keep spinning, displaying the outcomes and then moving on to the next spin. Generally, you can begin by pressing the “autoplay” button, which is usually located on the main screen.

Where to play online video slots?

Video slots are games of luck that do not require any strategy or skill to win. This is the most significant edge over other card and table games. They increase your chances of winning and make the gameplay more enjoyable. Now that you know what the features are and how to play slots, why not try the game on Gamentio and apply theory into practice. The site allows you to play video slots casino for fun that too for free and win tons of coins. What’s unique about this site is that it gives you a chance to use your winning coins at the Gamentio auction. You can bid on your favourite product and win the product of your dreams at nominal prices from the comfort of our couch. So, what are you waiting for? Install the app NOW! 

Poker has many variations and modes of gaming. One of the most common and popular video poker variants is Jacks or Better. It is an easy, quick, and fun game to play if you know how to play five-card poker. It is an excellent alternative to slot machines for players who want privacy and prefer to play alone. You can easily start playing Jacks or Better and don’t even have to be a pro poker player. All you need to know is about the winning hands in poker. 

The game contains an element of skill additional to luck, as compared to pure luck when playing slot machines. Usually, games like blackjack, roulette, or online slot machines have a house edge that varies between 90% to 97%. On the other hand, this variant of poker comes with a huge house edge of up to 99.54%. But, you must know the rules and strategies well.

Jacks or Better Rules

Jacks or Better video poker follows the same rules as 5-card draw poker. However, you cannot raise or bluff as you will be playing against the computer, not against other players. Your objective is not to have a winning hand but a strong hand that allows a payout. A table is displayed on the screen that tells you how much your hand is worth. The minimum hand required for a payout on a Jack or Better machine is a pair of Jacks. The payout rate increases in line with the hand’s strength. 

Making a ranking hand is vital in Jacks or better. We have outlined the hand rankings in Jacks or Better beginner’s guide, but the best thing about the game is that the information is always in view. The hand rankings and payout table are often displayed on the machine. Thus, all you have to consider is how much you are going to bet. Yet, you should understand what the poker hand rankings are. 

The rules of the game are straightforward. The game is played with a standard52 card pack, and no wilds or any additional cards are used. All you need to know is how many credits you are willing to bet on each hand. You can bet anywhere between 1 and 5 coins. Once you select the credits, press the deal button. You will get a deal of five cards. Choose the cards you want to “lock” by pressing the button displayed under each card. Once you lock the cards that you wish to keep, hit the deal button again. This changes the unlock cards. The ultimate hand is compared against the paytable. Your winning amount will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.

This digital video poker variant involves two rounds of cards. In the first round, you can lock/hold cards you wish, whereas the second round is known as the showdown round. You can only hold/lock cards once the cards are dealt with the first time. In the second round, you cannot change or lock cards. 

Jack or Better Tips

Once you have mastered poker Jacks or Better rules and feel confident, you must learn video poker tips that can help you improve your game. This way, you will know what to do for each hand you have been given. Speaking of which, below are some tips on how to deal with cards you have been dealt.  

1. You must be familiar with the poker hand rankings and the related terms. Doing so will help you to make decisions when the pressure is on.

2. Never try to replace your hand if you have already had one of the following: Full House, Four of a Kind, Three of a Kind, or Two Pair.

3. When playing video poker on the internet, make the most of your winnings and hit the max bet button. This is because if you get a Royal Flush, you will be rewarded handsomely.

4. Never swap a High Pair for a hand; hold it and draw three additionally.

5. If you have four cards short of Royal Flush, discard the fifth card regardless of the situation. 

6. If the primary cards dealt with you are a Flush or a Straight, keep them unless you are only one card away from reaching a Royal Flush. 

7. If you don’t have any combinations or cards higher than Jacks, you must draw all five cards.

You may also read: 7 poker tips for beginners

Play free Jacks or Better

Once you are familiar with the rules, practising the game virtually is a great idea before you head over to play for real money. Playing Jacks or Better online for free will help you master the basics and become a pro player. Practising is crucial for beginners poker players and trying different techniques can open new ways to increase your winning chances. There are tons of sites helping you do that, and one such website is Gamentio. It allows you to play online poker free anytime, anywhere. Once you feel confident about your gameplay, you can then gamble for real money. So, grab your phone, download the Gamentio app for free, practice free Jacks or Better and see what all the excitement is about.

All the best!